Marking apparatus



June 16, 1953 J. K. JACKSON MARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 21 1950 m m m m \Aum/ K Jncn-smv BY I ATTORNEY June 16, 1953 J. K. JACKSON MARKING APPARATUS 4 sheets sheet 2 Filed Jun 21. 1950 mmvrom June 1953 J. K. JACKSON MARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 21, 1950 INVEN TOR. K

(9 0M ATTORNEY M 9 6, 1953 J. K. JACKSON 2,641,999

MARKING APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I'll III

INVENTOR. L OIIN Jflcksa/v Y Patented June 16, 1953 MARKING APPARATUS John K. Jackson, Westfield, N. J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Adolph Gottscho, Inc., Hillside, N. J., a corporation of New York Application J mm 21, 1950, Serial No. 169,369

This invention relates to improvements in marking apparatus, and is particularly directed to apparatus for marking indicia in continuous or repeated patterns on a continuous roll, sheet, web or strip of material, or for applying indiciato other desired surfaces or objects.

More specifically the invention is directed to marking apparatus for use with existing wrapping, cutting orsimilar machinery through which a continuous roll, sheet, web or strip of material, or other object to be marked is fed, which apparatus imprints a continuous or repeated pattern, trademark,code marking, date or the like on the material or object during the feeding of the latter through machinery of the character indicated.

' One of the objects of the present invention resides in the provision of a marking or imprinting attachment for existing machinery through ,which a continuous web, sheet or strip of material, or object is fed, for printing continuous or repeated indicia or pattern thereon of uniform intensity and sharply defined clarity.

Another object is the provision of an attachment of the character indicated which operates on the principle of an aniline printing press for printing continuous or repeated indicia of uniform intensity and sharply defined clarity upon the continuous roll, sheet, web or strip of material, or object fed to or through existing machines performing operations thereon, and Without interfering with such operations.

I A further objectis the provision .of an attachment of the character indicated wherein the lmarking attachment includes means for controlling the printing pressure on the material or object being marked, andmeans for controlling the coating of printing ink upon the impression elementor printing roller or cylinder.

A further object of the invention is the provision .of a marking or printing attachment of the character indicated, wherein the contact of the impression or indicia bearing roller or cylinder with the sheet, strip or object to be marked is limited and the printing pressure may be eifectively varied; and wherein structure is provided for varyingand controlling the transfer of print- Ling ink to the impression roller'or. cylinder to thereby provide a printing impression of uniform intensity and sharply defined clarity.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a printing or marking attachment of the character indicated embodying an improved system for transferring ink from the .ink supply to theimpression roller; which system includes an 5 Claims. (CL 101-350-) ink supply roller dipping into an ink fountain having a constantly maintained ink level therein, a transfer or metering roller interposed between the ink supply roller and the impression roller or cylinder, and mechanism for adjusting the surface contact of the ink supply roller with the transfer or metering roller, and the surface contact of the latter with the impression roller,

to thereby achieve the even distribution of ink' over the impression roller or cylinder.

A still furtherobject of the present invention resides in the provision of a marking attachment of the, character indicated for existing machinery through which a continuous web or sheet of material, or object is fed, which attachment is simple in construction, sturdy and easily cleaned and otherwise maintained, and which attachment is adapted to be installed on a variety of machines of the type referred to above to thereby eliminate the necessity for subjectingthe material or object to a separate marking or printing operation.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be-manifest from the following descriptionand the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention, shown associated with a portion of a wrapping machine;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view ofthe tially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Referring to thedrawings in detail, a marking or imprinting apparatus constructed according to one embodiment of this invention is illustrated and generally referred to by the reference numeral Hi. This marking apparatus is shown as mounted upon a portion of a wrapping machine i2, for example, which machine forms no part of this invention, except insofar as it illustrates one of the many applications or uses of the apparatus of the present invention. It is to be understood that the marking apparatus It may 'be mounted upon any/machine through which a continuous sheet,.strip or web of material, or

other objects or articles are fed, at a location where the material or object is exposed to permit the printing of indicia, pattern, trade-mark,

code marking, or the like thereon.

The wrapping machine 12, of which the paper or other web or strip material supplying portion is illustrated, includes a pair of substantially triangular, spaced apart, vertically disposed side plates I4, having one apex thereof extending downwardly and supported on the remainder of the wrapping device (not shown) by bolts I6, or similar fastening members, extending through flanges I8 formed on the lowermost apex of each side plate I4. A feed roll 22, providing a source of paper or other strip material P to be fed through the wrapping machine for marking, is rotatably journalled in upwardly opening notches 24 formed in the substantially horizontal upper edges of the side plates I4 adjacent one end thereof. The paper or other material to be marked, in the form of a continuous web or strip is drawn off the roll 22 in the direction of the arrow and is extended under the guide roller 26, which is suitably journalled between the side plates I4. From the guide roller 26, the web P travels upwardly over and substantially around the backing roller 28 which is journalled between the side plates I4 and extends above the upper edges of the latter adjacent the ends thereof remote from the notches 24. From the backing roller 28, the paper P passes over a second guide roller 29, also journalled between the side plates, and thence downwardly out of the machine, and into the portion (not shown) which performs the wrapping function. While the roller 28 has been identified as a backing roller, it is to be understood that it is an element of the wrapping ma chine, and that any roller, similarly exposed, over which the strip of material passes in continuous fashion could be utilized, or adapted to be utilized as a backing surface for the marking apparatus.

Where the existing machines do not include a roller such as 28, but do advance the material or articles to be marked over a relatively rigid table,

or the like, then the latter may be utilized as the backing surface.

In the illustrated arrangement a plate 30, or similar supporting member for the marking apparatus I0, spans the top edges of the plates I4 between the opposite ends thereof. This marking or imprinting apparatus l includes a sup porting base or stand 32, which in the illustrated embodiment of the invention is formed of a bottom plate 34 having the upstanding standards 36 and 38 extending from the opposite side edges through the horizontal bores 54 and 56 formed through the upper portions of the standards 44 and 46, is formed with reduced diameter threaded end portions 58 and 60 which extend through the plates 44 and 46 adjacent one end of the latter. Nuts 62 are threaded on the end portions 58 and 60 and secure the pivot member relative to the frame 42. A coiled torsion spring 64 extends about the central portion 52 of the pivot member, and has one end fixed to the pivot member 50 (Fig. 2). The other end of the spring 64 is fixed to a spring seat 66 which is fixed relative to the standard 38 by the set screw 68, A

tubular cover 65 extends around the spring 64 to shield the spring and pivot member from foreign matter. The torsion spring 64 is so disposed as to tend to lift the end of the frame 42 remote from the pivot member 50. By loosening the nuts 62 and adjusting the angular position of the pivot member 50 relative to the plates 44 and 46, the force exerted by the spring 42 may be varied, to thereby regulate the printing pressure, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The side plates 44 and 46 are secured together to form the unitary frame 42 by a plurality of cross-members I0, each of which includes a pair of cap screws 16 extending through the side plates, and into cross-members, with the caps of the screws 16 engaging the side plates whereby to urge the side plates against the ends of the cross-members I0 in clamping relation. In addition to the cross-members I0, a cross-member 18 disposed below the pivot member 50 similarly connects the side plates 44 and 46 at that point. The member 18 is formed with, an increased diameter central portion which forms a part of the mechanism for adjusting the printing contact. The central portion 80 extends loosely through the openings 82 and 64 formed in standards 36 and 38, so that the frame 42 may rock slightly relative to the supporting base 32. A lug 86 is formed on the bottom plate 34 of the base 32, and threadedly receives an adjusting screw 88 which bears against the portion 80 of the cross-member 18. By moving the screw 88 into and out of the lug 86, the limitation on the downward movement of the end of the frame 42 remote from the pivot 50 may be adjusted.

The plates '44 and 46 are formed with horizontally aligned openings extending therethrough adjacent the ends remote from the pivot member 50. Anti-friction bearings 90, which are shown to be ball bearings but which may be roller bearings, are disposed in these openings and rotatably support the opposite ends of a shaft 92. Bearing covers 94 are secured to .the side plates 44 and 46 and are formed with annular flanges 96 extending into the bearing receiving openings and abutting against the outer races of the bearings for retaining the latter in place. A printing roller or cylinder 98 is formed with a hollow hub [00 disposed upon the shaft 92, and. is fixed to the latter by a key I02. The peripheral surface of the printing cylinder 98 is provided with a pair of circumferentially extending, spaced apart, bearing ribs or flanges I 04 disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges thereof. The bearing ribs or flanges I04 form an annular recess I06 therebetween for receiving an impression or marking element I05 which is preferably of the adhesive type, but may be of any other suitable known type. The impression element is provided with the desired indicia with which the web P is to be marked. The supporting base 32 is so disposed on the machine to which the marking apparatus I0 of the present invention is attached, that the printing roller 98 is positioned for surface contact with the impression roller 28.. v The ribs I04 of the printing roller, and the adjustable screw 88 acting against the crossmember, 78 determine the extent of contact of the impression element I05 on the printing roller 98 with the continuous web or sheet of mate rial P passing over the impression roller 28. Similarly, the torsion spring 64, which tends to lift the plate roller 98 away from the impression roller 28, determines the printing pressure.

The driving of the several movable parts of tween the said rollers. I -The marking devic'eembodies an container I I 6.

5, the marking device, to be described hereinafter, is'derived from the rotatable printing or plate roller 98, which may be driven in several ways.

This printing roller or cylinder may be rotated by frictional engagement of the ribs or flanges I04, having knurled surfaces, with the moving strip or web P, or by positive driving connection with the shaft of the impression roller. 28, or

with an auxiliary source of powenas by gears :for example. When gearsare employedto provide apositive drive one may be mounted on the shaft of the impression roller 28 and-the other on the shaft of the printing roller 68. The teeth of the gears will slide slightly in mesh with each other during relative movement beink'supplying assembly for evenly and continuously distributing a supply of printing ink onto the impression element or dies carried by the plate roller 88." The ink supplying assemblydncludes an ink reservoir I08 from which ink is fed to an openink fountain I I0, an inking roll H2 dipping into the open fountain H and having surface contact with a metering roll -I I4 which'engages the plate roller 98 for distributing the ink on the latter. a cylindrical transparent portion H6, open and threaded at one end, and a preferably metallic cylindrical portion II8 threadedly receiving the open end of the po'rtion I08 to provide a closed container. The cylindrical portion I I8-is provided with a filler opening I20 in the top thereof, which is sealed by the filler plug I22. The ink reservoir I68 is mounted on a transversely extending plate I24 extending across the top edges of the side plates 44 and 46 adjacent the ends thereof receiving the pivot, member '50.

The plate I24 is removably secured to the side plates 44 and 46 by the bolts' I26 tapped into the side plates. An open ended transfer pipe I28 depends from the bottom of the portion I I8 of the reservoir for conveying the ink to the, ink

fountain II 0 disposed therebelow. A valve assembly I30 includes an internally threaded coupling I32 threaded into an opening formed in the portion I I8 of the reservoir and axially aligned with the transfer pipe I28. A valve stem I64 is provided with a threaded portion received by the coupling I32, an operating knob- I36 secured to the outer end of the stem, and a conical valve member or plug I38 for seating upon the IT Upstanding apertured lugs I54 are formed on the top edges of the sideportions of the wall I42 of theink fountaimandreceive the opposite ends ofthe shaft I56 upon which a hub portion I58 of the inking roll is rotatably mounted. A set screw I60, extending into one of the lugs I54,

engages theshaft. I56 and secures the latter. The inking roll H2 includes a rim I62 on the hub I58,;'formed of rubber or similar material, and

dipping into the ink fountain III];

The metering roll I I4 is rotatable'about an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of both the plate roller'98 and the ink roller H2, and spaced up- *wardly therefrom. As will be apparent from this relationship, as the cam I 50 is rotated to pivot the ink fountain I I0 about the shaft I46, the contact 1 of the ink roller I I2 with the metering or transfer roller -I I4 will be varied. The metering roller H4 is formed with a ground 'chromeplated sur- The ink reservoir I08'consists of Y friction bearings I86.

face etched or engraved with fine lines or indentations for maximum wear and precision in transferring ink to the impression element or die. The roller H4 is keyed to ashaft I64 having the opposite ends supported in the inner races of anti- The outer races of the bearings I66 are pressed or otherwise secured, in the bearing supports I68. Each bearing support I68 is formed with a cylindrical outer surface I10, a bore I12 through which the shaft I64 extends, and a counterbore I14 receiving the bearing I66.

i The bore I 12and the counterbore I14 are concentric with each other, and not concentric with the outer-cylindrical surface I10. The outer surfaces Y I18 of the bearing supports I12 are rotatable in "axially aligned'circular openings I16 formed in the side plates 44 and 46. A flange I18 formed on each bearing'supp'ort abuts against the outer surfaces of the side plates and is provided with a knurled or roughened periphery to facilitate the ripping thereof for rota'ting'the bearing support I12 inthe opening I16. Rings 60; secured to the inner ends of the bearing supports, prevent movement of the latter axially relative to the respective side plates, and are also provided with roughened peripheries for turning the bearingsup'ports. Sincethe bearing supports I12 are independently rotatable in each of the side plates 44 and '46, the

' axis. 'of'rotation' of the metering roll I I4 may be upper end of the pipe I28. Thisvalve assembly serves to control the flow of ink through the transfer pipe I28, and particularly is employed to shut off the said flow during removal of the The ink fountain H0 is formed of a substantially rectangular bottom I40, and an upstanding peripheral wall I42. The wall I42 and the bottom I40 meet in a thickened portion I44 at the forward end of the ink fountain,

and a transverse shaft I46 extends rotatably through this thickened portion I44. The opposite ends of the shaft I46 are journalled in the side plates 44 and 46 and thereby provide a pivotal mounting for the ink fountain. A shaft I48 is disposed below substantially the centerof the bottom I40 of the ink fountain H0, and an ec-, centric cam member I50 is fixed thereto. The opposite ends of the shaft I48 are journalled in the side plates 44 and 46, and the cam I50 engages the bottom I40 providing for the adjustment of the ink fountain. A knob I52 is fixed to one end of the shaft I48for rotating that shaft and the cam I50.

' adjusted relative to the axis of the printing roller '98 both angularly and with respect to the per.-

pendicular' distance therebetween. Therefore, the'specific mounting of the metering roll provides a control of both the'thickness of the ink coating deposited on the impression element or dieyandiof the equality of thickness of such coating across the width of the plates.

-A scraping blade I 82' mounted upon the upstanding wall I42 of the ink fountain engages the end edges of the metering roll I I4 and the inking rollrim I62 to thereby remove excess ink from the rollers.

In order to provide a positive drive for the metering or transfer roll H4, the shafts 92 and I64 of the printing roller 98 and the metering or transfer roll H4, respectively, are extended through the side plate 44. A spur gear I84 is keyed or otherwise secured, to the extending portion ofthe shaft 92, and a smaller spur gear I86 is similarly secured to the extending portion of the shaft I 64. A stub shaft I88 is tapped into the side plate 46, and a pinion I90 is rotatably secured thereon. The shaft I88 is so disposed as to mesh the pimon I90 with the gear I86 on the transfer i-or metering roll shaft I64. A second pinion gear 200 is rotatably mounted on another stub shaft i :202 extending from the side plate 144', and: meshes withthe'gearcl84isecured1tqsthe plate rollerzshaft :.and-"witht'theipinion 190. l The gears I8, 200, I 90 and I8B':transmit rotationifrom the plate roller :shaft.92:to .the shaft I64rof the transfer or meter-.

, ing roll," withrthe. respective shafts being rotated :ziirropposed directions. I The; gears I84,' 200,' I90 andil86 areso positioned as to'rotate the transfer 1 :or metering roll M4 at a-peripheral velocity equal to the peripheral velocity of the impression roller pr: die .carriedby; the :printing roller 98. In *order "to provide a positivedrive for the inking'roll I I2, thegear I86"on the shaft- I64:0fzthe.meteringroll "Iv'vill rmesnwith agear (not shown). keyed tothe Fshaftof: the: inking roll I I2 r .A cover-204: engages .7 over the gears I52; :200; 'I90 and I86;:and is re- ":1movably. securedwto the side: plate 46 ;by .the

2 threaded bolts 206 which-are tapped intothatside 1 zplate. The bolts-206 are'providedwith knobs hav- "ing roughened peripheries to facilitate-there- 'moval' thereof.

1 In. operating thefmarking device described above; a supply 'of, quick drying aniline' printing ink of :anycolor is introduced into the reservoir :I08rthrough the filler opening 120; To preventfl loss of ink during such' filling of the reservoir, the

'l'tltiiiscto :beyjunderstood; thatii'while the: device i of the "present invention is adapted for. use-as an'attachmentforexisting machines of .the character indicated-Land has been soillustratedand :2sdescribedg'the-device is equally adapted for oper- -:'ation as anfindependent unit, in which event ".thesheet Web'or strip after receiving the'im- "'pressionmay bero-lled up or folded for storage 2101 subsequent use. Itis also to be-understood that the device of the present invention is adapt- *--edfor-*marking articles and objects otherthan sheets or Websof-material, such articles being fedto'theimpression element successively in any 'suitable'or well known manner.

While I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention; itis to be understood that various changes and modifications may be rmade therein without departing from ."the'Spirit and scope 'of" my invention.

--What I claim is:

1. 'An ink supplying device for a printingiroller rjournalled' in a frame and having an impression Y element thereon for printing engagement with a continuous web; said ink supplying device comprising a" metering roller journalledfor rotation about an axis substantially parallel to-the axis 'valve -I38isseated upon the :upperopen end of the transfer tube 128. The level 'ofinkinthe "reservoir may be observed through the transparent portion H6; The forming of the reservoir I08 -in-two-separable portions H6 and Hit-facilitate the cleaning thereof. After the filler cap or plug 1-22 has 'beenreplaced, the valve-I38 is'raised to thereby permit fiowpf-ink into the ink fountain H0.- Since thereservoir is sealed relative to the atmosphere, theink will rise in the fountain H0 only to a constant level=determined by atmospheric pressure. This ink level will be higher than the lowermost portion of the ink roll I I2, sothat the latter will pickup ink during-its'rotation.

The adjusting screw '88, bearing :against the -cross-member-80, is adjusted to provide the -desired contact between the impression element or *die onthe' printing roller 98 and the web or'strip P passingover the impression roller 28. Theitorsionspring 64- is also=adjusted to provide the-desired printing pressure. I As a the web or strip P is drawn over theimpression ro1ler'28, the knurled :bearers 104 which frictionally engaging'the'web or strip willefiectrotation of the roller 98, andthrough thegears 1'84; 200-,--I 90;-and I86-rotation of the transfer-or meteringrolll I4 andthe inking wroll H2. As" previously 'ment'roned, "instead? of relying on the: frictional engagement of "the web with the roller 98; a'positive drive "may be'fem-- ployed for the-latter roller from the shaft of;the roller 28,- or someother source.

The contact-pfthe transfer or -metering roll lit withthe printingroller- 98"is'regulated-by adjusting the eccentric bearing supports 168,: to;

' sion element carried by theprinting roller- 98,. -along with the constant ink. 1e.vel:.iin .1 theiink fountain- 'I I0;-achieve a printed: impression: of -.uniform clarityandsharpness. 1

ofsaid printing roller, eccentric means supporting said metering roller on said frame" at its "opposite'ends and-adjustable to vary the contact between said" printing and metering-rollers,- a I sealed ink containing reservoir onsaid frame, a

transfer pipe depending from said reservoir, an

open ink fountain disposed below said reservoir and into-whichwsaid' transfer pipeextendsto thereby provide asupply of ink in said fountain'maintained at a level at least as high as the '-lower end of said pipe, an ink roller journalled on said inkfountain with its axis below that of said: metering roller and arranged for "surface contact with said metering 'roller and dipping into the supply of ink in said fountain,- and means supporting said ink fountain on said frame andadjustable .to displace said fountain substantially vertically forvarying the distancebetween .theaxes of said. metering. and. ink rollers and .the. position of said lowerend of the transfer pipe with respect tosaid fountain.

2. In markingapparatus for a machine-advancing a continuous web of material over an exposed roller-and including a frame, and a printing rollerjournalled in said frame and having an impression element thereon engageable gwith the moving web for imprinting a repeated patterncn the latter; an inking system for even- ,lydistributingink ,to. said impression element,

comprising a metering roller journalled for rotation about an -axissubstantially parallel to. the axisof said-printing roller, eccentric means supporting said metering roller on said frame and level at least as high as the lower end of said adjustable to vary the. contact between said .prmtmgand metering rollers, a sealed ink contaming reservoiron said frame, an open ink fountain disposed below said reservoir, a transfer pipe depending fromsaid reservoir andiinto said fountain to thereby maintain a substantially constant supply of ink in the'latter at a pipeyan ink roller rotatably supported on said ink'fountain and dipping into said constant ink supply, and means supporting said ink fountain on said' frame and adjustable to displace said fountain substantially vertically for varying the surface contact between saidink roller and said metering roller and for varying the position of .said lower end 'of the transfer pipe with respect to said fountain. 1

3. In marking apparatus for av machine advancing a continuous web of material over .an exposed roller and including a frame, and a printing roller journalled in saidframe and having an impression element thereon engageable with the moving web for imprinting a repeated pattern on the latter; an inking system for evenly distributing ink to said impression element as set forth in claim 2, including means for removably supporting said reservoir and the depending transfer pipe on said frame, and a shutoff valve adapted to block the flow of ink through said transfer pipe.

4. In an inking system for evenly distributing ink to an impression element carried by a printing roller journalled in a frame; the combination of a metering roller journalled in said frame and having variable surface contact with the printing roller, an ink roller disposed for rolling contact with said metering roller along a line disposed below a horizontal plane extending through the axis of rotation of said metering roller, an upwardly open ink fountain, means movable supporting said fountain on said frame to permit substantially vertical displacement of said fountain, means rotatably supporting said ink roller on said fountain for substantially vertical movement with the latter, a sealed ink reservoir mounted on said frame above said fountain, a transfer pipe extending downwardly from said reservoir and opening into said fountain to supply ink to the latter, said pipe being efiective to maintain the supply of ink in said 19 V fountain at a level which falls only slightly below the lower end of said pipe, said ink roller dipping into said fountain to below said level for immersion in the'supply of ink in said fountain, and means for vertically displacing said fountain to vary the contact pressure between said metering and ink rollers and to vary said level of the ink in said fountain.

5. In an inking system; the combination according to claim 4, wherein said means movably supporting the fountain on the frame includes a horizontal pivot pin carried by said frame and extending through said fountain at a location remote from said transfer pipe, and said means for vertically displacing said fountain includes cam means rotatably carried by said frame and engaging said fountain from below for rocking the latter about said horizontal pivot pin.

JOHN K. JACKSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 410,155 Dean et a1. Sept. 3, 1889 918,464 McCarty Apr, 13, 1909 1,102,627 Alexander July 7, 1914 1,226,243 OConnor May 15, 1917 1,536,184 Ahlburg May 5, 1925 1,598,808 Domarus Sept. 7, 1926 1,683,774 Haase Sept. 11, 1928 1,992,613 Hartley Feb. 26, 1935 2,369,814 Worthington Feb. 20, 1945 

